Siladen vs Cha Cha in Bunaken?

We'll have 3 nights in Bunaken area next July (also 4 nights at Gangga and a week at Kasawari in Lembeh) and are trying to decide where to stay. Don't need ultra fancy, but want to be comfortable and experience great diving and snorkeling. I've read reviews of both Siladen and Cha Cha Nature Resort and wondered if anyone has experienced both and has a recommendation. It looks like Siladen is much more expensive and I don't know if it is worth it.

Hello,
Siladen is not a resort but another island...
On Bunaken, I have been to Froggies. It is not luxurious (not AC but ventilation, mandi type of showers) but the bungalows are clean and confortable. Dive guides are fantastic. I'll go back there next spring if I can, and definitely some time next year. Don't remember the rates but it was not expensive (much less than the resort in Bangga in any case). I will check and get back to you.
Malene

Thanks. Yes Siladen is an island but it is also the nam of a resort on the island (which is what I was refering to in my question. Sorry for the confusion.

We have stayed at Siladen Spa and it was very good. Dive Op was really good, the rooms fantastic and good food.

Siladen Island Resort and Spa is amazing! My trip report follows - Ever been anywhere that totally lived up to the glossy brochures and the glamorous websites or promotional DVD's? Neither had I...until I took a group of 30 plus to SIladen last July 2008. Siladen was the perfect small group diving holiday destination. The beach is superb, the views across to the dormant volcano , Manado Tua are stunning, and the snorkelling 5 minutes walk down the beach to Siladen jetty is among the best I have ever experienced. This is an awesome place - we were totally impressed from the moment we arrived until our sad departure from this heavenly island.

The resort quality is quite upscale - the manager is ex-Sheraton, and this is reflected in huge 5 star buffets that left us all concerned for our waistlines. And yet the food is so healthy - masses of Asian vegetables, fruits, seafood, pork, chicken. beef and lamb options, that we didn't gain one kilo! Desserts at luchtime and dinner....but again healthy and delicious low fat options were always available. We had a villa on the beach - a huge timber lined room (a little dark - as is typical of timber lined rooms) with every possible comfort and luxury. Four poster king bed, outdoor lounge and daybeds and a very cool outdoor private bathroom that was such a great idea we want to build one for our home! The spa does a great massage and coconut scrub - I have never, ever been so totally relaxed!

But we were there for the diving - and this is also a top notch dive operation - with the luxury of 1 dive guide for every 3 or 4 divers. Dives are guided at such high ratios so that you get an individual guide to show you all the tiny critters like pygmy sea horses and crinoid crabs that wouold otherwise go unnoticed. The biodiversity of the Bunaken marine park is remarkable and there was so much to see - dives typically last an hour - you don't use much air when drifting with the gentle currents. They also have en excellent instructor who taught 6 of our group to PADI Open Water standard - they were in very good hands indeed.

The village nearby is a gem - we visited the school (even thought they were on holidays they all came in to meet us!) and we learnt (since forgotten) how to count to 10 in Indonesian.

I cannot recommend this place strongly enough - if anyone finds anywhere better (or even as good) then please let me know. I have travelled at least once a year to dive resorts for the last 20 plus years and this is my new favourite. I now have the tough job of finding somewhere as good next year!

Loved it and will go back!:

I would highly recommend Living Colours on Bunaken. They have the best standard of accomodation on the island and a great dive centre. I spent a week there this summer and enjoyed it a lot.

Sorry to hijack the thread, but would be interested to know if you managed to do any self-guided dives of the house reef at Siladen, Wiggsy? Nothing is mentioned on the resort website and I wondered if they have a policy against this. Nice to have an unguided late afternoon dive after a day out on the boat, I think.

Sorry for the late reply. The House reef is brilliant snorkelling, but they warn against SCUBA diving as the current sweeps along the wall very briskly. I gather close to shore snorkelling is safe, but the temptation to dive out on the wall tends to lure divers out to the depths offshore, and strong currents can spring up anytime. We did do a boat dive on the house reef and it was just amazing - one of the best dives in the region. But without a boat you could end up anywhere....so they basically discourage totally shore SCUBA dives.

BTW, I'm taking a group back there again June 26 - July 06 2009 and am looking forward to it. I have a couple going from Sydney (they're saving a lot of $$ joining our group). If that fitted in to when you want to go you'd be more than welcome. So far we have a group of about 20. We get 25% off the dive package cost at the resort and a big discount on accomodation. The trip is open to all.

Thanks for the replies, Wiggsy. We are booked in for Easter week so can't join you in July. I'll report back on our experience!